I am enamored with cooking. It is obviously a very old art and a necessary one. Cooking is survival and love.

With all the fast food and ready-made overly processed food out there, I know that cooking is essential to our survival. I support cooking in my life and encourage it in others. Here are a few things I do:

I love baked goods but they are my downfall. One way to satisfy my sweet tooth without going overboard is my discovery of the single sized baked good. Case in point: the 5 Minute Cake In a Mug. What a fabulous idea! No more eating the whole pan of brownies.

I had made this one time before and must have liked it because I added it to my collection. Last night I wanted something sweet. I asked my husband if he wanted me to make brownies. He declined, trying to be good. Well I wasn’t going to make a whole pan of brownies to tempt him and gorge myself. So, 5 minute cake in a mug to the rescue!

The only problem, it’s got a zillion calories. Next time I will make some healthier substitutions like applesauce for the butter, or use less butter. Something. But it was still better than eating a pan of brownies!

I am not a collector of books. I am a giver away of books. Sure, there are a few I keep: the odd poetry book, reference books, books of art and craft, bibles and prayer books, language books. I love cookbooks. But what I read most are novels and I don’t often reread novels. Novels have wings. They are meant to fly and soar. While I’m reading a book I’m always thinking of who I know that might like it. When I finish it I give it away and I don’t want it back. In that way books travel and soar and I like to be a part of that.

My sister-in-law is trying out baking and I couldn’t be more thrilled. I’m not sure she enjoys baking as much as I do. I guess you either love it or you don’t.

For Thanksgiving, she may be baking an apple pie. Have you ever heard the expression “Easy as apple pie?” Apple pie is supposed to be easy. If you cheat and buy a pre-made pie crust, like I do, that’s half the battle. Unfortunately store-bought tastes better than my crust! 😦

I do recommend using fresh apples though, not canned, because it will taste better. And it’s pretty easy to chop up apples.

I sent her 2 recipes for apple pie (Alton Brown and the Pioneer Woman). I usually read a couple of recipes first and decide which appeals to me the most: ingredients, process, how long it takes, etc.

Once I decide on which to use, I read it again carefully to make sure I have all the equipment, ingredients, etc. Then I buy everything I need and try it out.

People that are into cooking often read cookbooks the way others read novels. I love reading cookbooks. There’s nothing like curling up with a great cookbook to drool over pictures, learn cooking techniques, and find good recipes and ideas.